Most parents of overweight children ‘don’t realise they are too fat’

A new report has found that most parents of overweight children don’t think they are too fat.

The Health Survey for England, published by NHS Digital, found many parents were in the dark about how fat their children really are – and do not see themselves as overweight either.

Only 26% of overweight and obese children aged eight to 15 described themselves as too heavy, while 41% thought they were about the right weight and 33% were not sure.

Meanwhile, most overweight children were described as being about the right weight by their mothers (91%) and fathers (80%) in the study, that included interviews with 5,714 children aged 15 and under, alongside 8,034 adults.

However, there was more realisation when children fell into the obese category, with 51% of mothers and 56% of fathers of obese children saying their child was too heavy.

MORE: Most children under 15 have never tried cigarettes or alcohol as ‘clean cut’ generation increases
MORE: Viruses are sexist: Some infections ‘hit men harder than women’

But 48% of mothers and 43% of fathers still thought their obese child was about the right weight.

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said: “Sadly, the majority of parents’ perceptions of normal weight are long gone. And who can be surprised?

“Doting mothers are only too willing to believe that their kids are not part of that fat crowd. But it’s a belief that is misplaced.

“Tragically, health professionals often compound the problem by finding it uncomfortable to raise weight issues.

“Too many opt for the quiet life and fail to confront the parent with the bald truth.”

The report also found obesity had not changed since 2010 among adults, with 27% of men and women obese and a further 41% of men and 31% of women overweight.

But Cancer Research UK said historical NHS Digital data showed that people in England had put on almost 1.5 BILLION pounds in weight over the last 20 years.

A man’s average weight had increased by 12lbs over the last 20 years, while women’s has gone up 10lbs.

Alison Cox, director of cancer prevention at Cancer Research UK, said: “This excessive weight is putting the NHS under enormous strain and the health of the nation at risk.

“Being overweight or obese is the second largest preventable cause of cancer after smoking, so it’s important that people are given a helping hand to maintain a healthy weight.

“Making small changes in eating, drinking and being physically active that you can stick to in the long-term is a good way to reach a healthy weight and stay there.”

Top pic: Rex/posed by model